smartphone

Windows Phone outships iPhone in some countries

Windows Phone is outshining the iPhone in several countries. But relax, Apple, there is an explanation.

In a blog posted Tuesday, Microsoft corporate communications VP Frank Shaw cited an IDC report revealing that Windows Phone has reached 10 percent market share in a number of countries. Along with that milestone, Windows Phone has outshipped Apple's iPhone in seven markets across the globe.

Shaw didn't divulge the names of those seven markets. But IDC did and explained why Windows Phone has a foothold in those regions.

Speaking with The New York Times yesterday, IDC analyst Kevin Restivo said that … Read more

HTC to launch follow-up to Droid DNA, says marketing chief

A successor to HTC's Droid DNA phone is in the works, says HTC Chief Marketing Officer Ben Ho.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Ho said that HTC would soon launch a second-generation Butterfly to take advantage of consumer appetite for large-screen smartphones, the Focus Taiwan news site reported.

The current 5-inch model is known as the Droid DNA in the U.S., but flies by the name of Butterfly in Taiwan and elsewhere.

Whatever its name, the current phone has seen robust demand and healthy sales, especially in Japan and Taiwan. Butterfly topped the iPhone 5 as the best … Read more

Sony's Xperia ZL is elegant, compact, and speedy

Our colleagues at CNET Asia just took the new Sony Xperia ZL for a complete test-drive and like how this elegant handset handles. While not as luxurious as Sony's current flagship the Xperia Z, the Xperia ZL offers plenty of smartphone goodies including a nimble processor, Android Jelly Bean, and even an IR blaster to function as a home theater remote. … Read more

Can a build-your-own-phone save Motorola's bacon?

Forget all that chatter about how desperately HTC need big things out of the HTC One. Alas, they are not the only hardware maker looking for a hit in the Android space. Motorola, for its part, has been struggling to make much noise for the better part of of two years.

Ever since Google acquired Motorola, the mobile company has slowly faded into obscurity, releasing few phones and generating less excitement than in past years.

To be fair, Verizon has had success with the Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx as well as the HD successor. As one of the … Read more

Bringing phones to T-Mobile's LTE network: The devil's in the details

Today, T-Mobile hyped how much easier bringing phones to its new network will be. As it turns out, however, it isn't as simple as you'd think.

Here's the deal. T-Mobile is in the middle of three major wireless transitions. Besides ripping up mandatory two-year contracts, the carrier is building a new 4G LTE network. If that wasn't enough, T-Mobile also is migrating its older 3.5G data service from the AWS band (1700/2100) where it currently lives over to the 1,900MHz GSM band.

But that's not all. T-Mobile is using that freed-up AWS … Read more

T-Mobile undercuts Apple with iPhone prices

T-Mobile's new service plans mark a huge change for wireless carriers. In addition to ditching contracts, the nation's fourth largest wireless provider also has dropped handset subsidies completely. So now, when you buy a new phone from T-Mobile, you'll pay much more for your device than you did when you signed two years of your life away. You have the option of paying the full cost at the time of purchase, or paying a deposit with monthly installments, but the phone's price is the same either way. And, of course, you won't be tied to … Read more

Preliminary HTC Desire P, Desire Q details emerge

The first specifications for an HTC Desire P and HTC Desire Q have emerged courtesy of Unwired View, indicating that HTC has a pair of mid-range smartphones on the horizon.

A handful of hardware details for the two smartphones landed online, accompanied by what could be a glimpse into their respective print advertising.

The HTC Desire P, which bears a striking resemblance to the HTC Desire SV, could feature a 4.3-inch WVGA display, a dual-core 1GHz processor, an 8-megapixel rear camera, and a front-facing camera.

Presumably running at least Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Desire P should come … Read more

Testing T-Mobile's 4G LTE

T-Mobile just took a bold, new step by shredding the contracts for its plans plus launching its new 4G LTE data network. But what kind of speeds can you really expect to see on the carrier's hot, new devices? Judging from what I observed at T-Mobile's splashy press event in New York, apparently quite a bit. … Read more

Teensy-weensy Fuel emergency phone charger fits on a keyring

There are endless options for battery backup devices for your smartphone. There are battery cases, battery packs, solar chargers, and hand-crank devices. But they all have a common enemy: bulk. You have to find the space in your pocket or purse to keep them with you. This is where the Fuel phone charger comes in. It's as easy to carry as your car keys.

Fuel is shaped like a little red gas canister. Inside the aluminum housing is a 220 milliAmp hour battery. It's just over an inch high and half an inch thick, leading its creator Devotec Industries to claim it as the world's smallest cell phone charger. Fuel isn't going to fully recharge your battery, but it will give you an extra 20 to 30 minutes of talk time when you need it most.… Read more

Apple kicks off free next-day shipping for all iPhones

Buy an iPhone through Apple online, and you can now score free next-day shipping.

The deal is good for the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 4 but restricts purchases to two per buyer. Apple already offers free standard shipping on orders that total more than $50. But next-day shipping normally kicks in an additional charge depending on the size of the order.

The offer may be especially appealing to iPhone 4 buyers since that model is free with a standard two-year contract. Apple's order page doesn't indicate how long the promotion will last.

In the past, Apple … Read more